Writhing free from the rust (open)

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel had checked himself into the health facility about an hour ago suffering from some sustained injuries. A cut across his brow and several open wounds still dripping with blood from his last competator. Or in Gabriel's case twelve. Ever since that day with Leon, Gabriel had found himself foolish enough to throw himself into any bloody situation he cared for. If the words even resembled fight he was off like a gun. All too abrasive unlike his younger years. He rolled his tense shoulders and rolled his head cracking the tense bones as he sat atop the medical bed.

The regent nurse was new, no more Dr. Clavering to nurse the wounds of a soldier now he had to rely upon a half-wit and half trained blonde who had trouble finding the band-aids. Thats all he needed right... A bandaid. Gabriel chuckled as the blood loss might have been gettting to him.

"Nurse I think I can walk right out I'm sure..." He made a jest half stepping off the table and half landing on his face.

She rushed to his side having trouble lifting Gabriel up as she covered him up with tight fitting bandages that concealed his shameful battle scars. Strangly enough he could have taken more of them if they hadn't drawn knives and they weren't fighting in a field of glass. Gabriel chuckled again, no the smartest move on there part. His gaze drifted to see them carrying the injured few in. All seemed to have scared looks on there faces.

[Jenna Scorn]

The young female stood next to the bedside, blue eyes casted down upon the thin, frail frame of the Japanese woman who lay resting in the hospital bed. She couldn't help but stare, the once beautiful woman had wrinkled with time, strands of silver hair were pulled back from her face as she slumbered. Jenna had ignored the banter of the doctor who stood near her.
"Money isn't an issue... What do I have to do to keep her alive?"

She looked up suddenly, strands of pink hair falling into her face as she glared at him. Her uncle would step forward, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm the young girl. Jenna took a deep breath, glancing at her uncle before the doctor would regain himself enough to answer her.

"She's sick..."

He had started in, but Jenna would have nothing to do with it, cutting him off again.

"I understand that!"

"Jenna!"

Her uncle would be the one to cut her off now, setting the young girl into her place as she'd look down suddenly. Her hands gripping the metal bars of the hospital bed.

"What I think she means to say is... How much longer does she have?"

Tears threatened to fall from the young girls eyes, sounds from the doctor echoed in her ear drums, just muffled noise to her now as she took a step back.

"Terminal"

"Death."



She couldn't lose her mother, not now. First her father, Hiroko, and now her mom? no, it couldn't be. Jenna hasn't even been in the U.S. for 24 hours and was already feeling the daunting pressure. She had went to Japan to take care of a few ties, while her uncle had settled things in the U.S. of Katashi corp. Jenna has been doing very well, setting her life straight, till she received the call, that her mother had fallen suddenly ill.

Old age.

Nothing could be done.

Jenna almost stumbled out of the hospital room, letting the door gently thud behind her as she'd let her body slowly make it's way to the lobby in hopes of finding some sort of coffee. She'd pass many doors, not bothering to look inside, she didn't want to see anymore dyeing people. Her mother had been enough for her today.

But when she heard the familiar sound of a body falling to the floor. She'd look to the side suddenly, to see a small nurse trying to lift a boy back into his bed. Jenna bit her lip for a moment.

This isn't any of your concern...

She had almost continued, but soon enough let her body enter the room. Arms lifting outwards to help the boy back into his bed, where the nurse would poke and prod him, and she stood over him for a while, tilting her head to the side.

"Is he dyeing too?"

Would he meet the same fate as her mother?

[Gabriel Seran]

"Is he dyeing too?"

Gabriel's eyes fixated upward to catch her in his view being siezed up by both the nurse and the mystery woman at his side. Their sudden grip brought pressure to the wounds twinging with awkward pain. Gabriel bit down hissing a bit as he made his way back into the bed safe but still suffering from the unnecessary damage to his body. If only he hadn't been so emotional. It was inherantly his one weakness and in the same respect his greatest strength.

Emerald eyes fixated up to the blonde woman, studying her gently without putting a thought to mind. She was beautiful but in the same sense appeared to have something weighing on her mind, a distraught sense about her that he couldn't put his finger on but still he felt the familiarity of it. Perhaps it was the air of death. Gabriel knew that much too well, the death of both his parents before his eyes destroyed his perfect world and sent him lurching into a chaotic bloodfest.

"No... I'll be alright, thank you for aiding me." Gabriel said calmly in the thick french accent he'd yet to completly brutalize through his years in America.

"What did you say your name was Mrs?" Gabriel prodded to know her name filled with sudden curiosity, he was in a hospital for Godsake and needed a fleeting daydream perhaps she'd be his.

[Jenna Scorn]

She saw the nurse, who would give a soft laugh and a shake of her head. Jenna couldn't help but look at the nurse for a moment, watching her slowly with those blue eyes before she'd hear her cheery voice.

"He'll be just fine."

Jenna gave a small nod, ignoring the nurse's positive outlook. Did this nurse not realize just a few doors down, a woman was dyeing? Jenna swallowed suddenly letting her eyes glance for the door. she brushed a few strands of hair from her face as she stepped away from the bed.

She turned, letting her heels gently scuff against the tiled floor of the hospital. Black slacks hugged her hips, and a white button up blouse was fitted about her torso. She hadn't had time to change into anything comfortable. As soon as she had heard of her mother's illness she was on the first flight back to the states, and had been at her mother's bedside.

"My name is Jenna..."

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel gave a welcoming smile as he extended an arm to offer up a seat by his bedside. His arm jolted back suddenly in pain as he felt around near his upper torso finding a small shard of glass still lodged in his skin. Pulling it away he gasped at the slight pain it caused and the new scent of copper filling his nostrils. He reached out again for a cotton pad and covered the wound having everywhere else nearly secured in badages aside from his face and shoulders.

"Well Jenna what brings you to the hospital today?" Gabriel asked trying not to be insensitive he was merely curious seeing as she'd found her way into his cabana he had to at least feel a bit lucky to have someone to chat with briefly.

"Sorry, I'm Gabriel." He said once more with a reaffirming smile.

[Jenna Scorn]

She should have really been going, but where? Back to her mother's room? She swallowed, her chest tightening. The hospital reeked of death, and so did her mother. this smell was familiar to her, she had smelt it upon her father, and also her beloved Hiroko.

"Well Jenna what brings you to the hospital today?"

She looked up suddenly, strands of pink hair falling into her face as she looked up at him, her chest was tight at the thought of it. She clenched her teeth. And when he'd speak his name, she'd breath. Letting her jaw loosen for a moment before she'd finally speak.


"My mother is dyeing."

She sat back in her seat, letting her hands fall to her blouse, pressing down at an attempt to smooth the wrinkles from her blouse. A black tie hung loosely around her neck, a white dragon adorned the end of this tie. Nails were well manicured, pink tips polished with gems upon her thumbs. Makeup was brushed about her face, traces of black mascara had faded, as if she'd been crying.

[Gabriel Seran]

"My mother is dyeing."

Gabriel's eyes dropped to the floor suddenly feeling ashamed that he'd asked. He'd seen death even killed, it was never good and he'd regretted having done so. His fingers clenched the edges of the bed with a certain pressure.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring that up...." he tried averting the situation knowing the harm that could come of it.

"I..."

The matter was he couldn't share any tales with her, the reality was death was built upon death making the story worse not more grand. Only bitter tales of lost dreams and sorrow.

"Don't cry....Please, for me at least." Gabriel pushed out a fake smile.

"Tell me about her..." Gabriel began knowing there would be no true answer to making this girl smile. The death of a loved one meant everything in one's heart and burdened them til the very end.

[Jenna Scorn]

Tell him about her? Well, she was considering. Just to get it off her chest at least, and it wouldn't matter if he told anyone her secrets, she'd be gone anyways. Jenna gave a soft sigh as she leaned back in her seat.

"I don't know much of her personal life, but i do know everything she's done for me. Her name is Sachiyo Kawamoto."

Jenna swallowed for a moment, brushing strands of hair from her face as she thought on this for a moment.

"She worked for the Yakuza back home... As a prostitute."

Jenna gave a small shrug, mostly for her own sake. Jenna had never known why her mother had been a prostitute, she had never asked.

"One day my father, he found her...half dead. He took care of her, bought her from the Yakuza. And soon fell in love with her. they got married, and soon I was born."

She looked at him for a moment.

"As you can probably tell... I'm only half Japanese. My father was American. He died too..."

Jenna's voice trailed off for a moment before picking up again.

"He saved my mother, and me... I've made many foolish mistakes with my life."

She gave a small nod.

"After my father died, my mother was all I had. Besides my uncle."

She paused for a moment, looking up at him. Why was she telling him all this, her blue eyes found him for a moment. Looking at him long and hard.

"Back in Japan... I started to date this man. His father was in charge of the very same Yakuza my mom had been working for. My father wouldn't allow me to date him, but I did. And when I finally realized what a monster he was, I tried to get away... But he tried to kill me and my father saved me... Sometimes I think my mother blames me for my father's death. And I don't think badly of her, i often blame myself as well."

She glanced to wards the nurse who was exiting the room, and Jenna sighed.

"My mother brought me here, so we could get away from the Yakuza. Life isn't much better here in the states. We starved, my mother worked two jobs. I soon got a job... working for some..."

She paused, she had almost completely forgotten him.

Almost.

But as she began to speak of him, she almost raged.

"I met a boy. And I started to work for him. I even... fell in love with him. But, I soon learned he wasn't who I thought he was. He toyed with me, played with me like some doll."

She scowled for a moment.

"His name was...Winters. I had completely forgotten about him till now. Anyways, things didn't work out with him. I later on met another man, a teacher, his name was Hiroko. My mother had warned me of Winters, and Hiroko. If only I had listened to her I wouldn't of had to endure such heartache. Hiroko loved me... took me in. I worked for him, and could finally help my mother out with bills. Buy her nice things. But, Hiroko passed away, left me everything..."

She smiled softly.

"I bought my mother so many nice things, and thanks to Hiroko, even now I am able to keep her free of pain until she passes."

Her smile faded.

"Sadly, no amount of money can keep her alive."

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel listened intently to her story, quite actually so enthralled by it that he never noticed the exiting nurse leave the room. His calm demeanor never shifted throughout the tale but felt a notion of unity towards this girl. His parents had both died, however unluckily for him they were killed in a fire. The love of his life, took her own away from him when she couldn't live up to the way the world was. And now he buried himself in a mountain of violence and shame trying to find someway to repent for his sins or better yet bear the sins of others and suffer for them.

Then the words came out 'Winters.' Gabriel finched hearing his name. Jonathan Winters, better known to him as "Unfettered" leader of the once proud Militia, and lastly Gabriel's mentor for his first year here. Curiosity tingled in, he wanted to know Winters, something deranged asked for his secrets.

"I'm sorry...." Gabriel looked down somberly trying to convey his words appropriotly finding that under any situation they'd be wrong.

"I know I'm not in the place to be offering help but... If you need it I understand what it's like to loose your parents. Mine unfortunatly left me when I was young."

'Left' was a nice way of putting it, being burned alive was another.

[Jenna Scorn]

"I know I'm not in the place to be offering help but... If you need it I understand what it's like to loose your parents. Mine unfortunately left me when I was young."

As soon as he had ended his words she had offered her's, and almost in a snapping tone, almost cutting him off.

"I hardly know you."

She was looking to the floor, her eyes fixated upon the ground. Blue eyes suddenly cold as she'd glance up wards at him. Her chest was tight, suddenly regretting the words she had spoken to this boy.

She could feel the early signs of hostility raging beneath her skin, and she'd shift in her seat, looking the door suddenly as she'd give a small sigh.

"I'm sorry...I'm... Just upset is all."

She tried to calm herself, swallowing as she'd look to him.

"This place brings back many horrible memories... I've never once experienced joy within the states. And when I had, it was always taken away from me so quickly."

[Gabriel Seran]

"I hardly know you."

Gabriel grinned regardless of her reaction, there was more to someone's response than showing what emotions you had. Rather what was needed to be displayed.

"We'll you're getting to..." Gabriel tried to smile again as the pain in his gut stabbed at him shortly forcing a small grunt in the action and a shift in his body.

"There's really nothing to worry about, as hard as it seems, everything recycles." Gabriel shrugged lightly feeling the mood of the situation shifting to something more personnable, something he hadn't neccesarily enjoyed himself but something required.

"This place brings back many horrible memories... I've never once experienced joy within the states. And when I had, it was always taken away from me so quickly."

"Then why stay?" He squeaked out lowly watching behind emerald visionaries, "I know I've certainly had better times back home and often thought why I stayed within the states."

[Jenna Scorn]

"We'll you're getting to..."

She watched him closely, blue eyes finding his form as he'd almost wince in sudden pain. She'd turn away, looking to the floor.

"There's really nothing to worry about, as hard as it seems, everything recycles."

"We're talking about my mom..."

She had trailed off, the thought of her mother being left to lay like some trash, laying to rest in the compost pile. She shook her head, shaking these thoughts from her mind.

"Then why stay?"

She shifted, blue orbs peaking out through strands of obviously blond hair, dyed pink. She'd flick a few strands of hair from her face as she'd lean forward for a moment.

"I know I've certainly had better times back home and often thought why I stayed within the states."

"Every time something horrible happens, every time.... I run away to Japan. Thats where I was when I heard of my mother's sudden illness."

She swallowed.

"I keep coming back, because even though I've had such hardships here, I know people."

Images of Katsuri and Winters flashed before her and she'd rub at her eyes.

"Regardless of my ties with them. I know people. In Japan, there isn't a familiar face. Unless you count employee's."

She shook her head with a small sigh.

"I haven't a friend here in the states. But I know people. It's...Odd... Isn't it?"

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel let out a slightly sinister chuckle at the wordsshe spoke. It was all too similar from his current situation he'd been left to deal with. 259 used to be a home for him, used to be for friends, but since he'd returned not a one had stayed loyal. He'd lost everthing at Ground Zero much as he'd expected himself to, however he didn't succeed nothing had changed other than his own fortunes. Everyone was just a face, a recurrent memory.

He sat there in the bed slightly stunned at the sudden revelation. A small smirk across his features as he came to terms with it. Perhaps there could be another chance at a worthwhile life.

"Well...perhaps you can have a second chance." Gabriel made for a weak smile.

[Jenna Scorn]

"Well...perhaps you can have a second chance."

She caught his small smile, and gave an even smaller sigh. Letting her shoulders rise and fall as she'd breath in, and than out before looking to him. He was right, maybe there could be another chance for her.

Maybe.

After all, why not?
She hadn't ever done anything wrong.
All those "Friends" had left her, either by death, getting married and running n away, or by simple abandonment...

Well, wait.
She thought for a moment.
She had sort of given up on Winters, simply abandoned him... but he had done the same to her well before she had even thought of doing such a thing to him, after all.
She had promised him her loyalty.

And she had stayed loyal to him, even after it was obvious he wanted nothing to do with her, she had been such a silly girl.
But a promise was a promise, and by god she wouldn't break it.
And she hadn't, till he had called her up into his office.

She gave another short sigh.

"Perhaps."

She looked to him, offering a smile in his direction.

[Gabriel Seran]

He didn't buy the smile for a second, the thought crossed his mind that sh'd never be happy. Her moter dead and everything seemigly meaning nothing and all he could offer her was the possibility, hope? What was the word in a sense? A politician's plaything, but something more it filled your heart and your lungs with premonitions of the future of what could be, incredible fate brought to light. Gabriel smiled at the thought, he may heave been damned for his actions but he'd make his world better for them, for everyone if if meant giving everything of himself.

"Here..." Gabriel reached out to a sheet of paper at his side. A quick scrawling of writing on the sheet listing his nnumber and name, and an adress scribbled.

Not a ouse number but the number of his private warehouse. He had something in mind that could change her fate. But all it would take would be a mindful ear and purposeful heart to change her life for what she wanted in the end. Free of heartbreak of pain long scarred.

"Thats for you if you're interested, it's something of a union. Union of people and their thoughts." Gabriel nodded knowing that wasn't entirely true but still it wouldn't matter when she stuck along with it would it?